







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | |
| That's a good question! | |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | |
| Do you want me to call Diego, then? | |
| Don't you think it's too far away from the tube station? | |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | |
| Do you have another one? | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | |
| But I want to see Brighton Pier before the sun sets. | |
| Can you please not forget to take some poo bags with you! | |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| Shall we meet at the train station, or do you want me to pick you up from your house? | |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | |